League of Women Voters of California
Santa Clara County, CA November 7, 2000 Election
	Rosemary Stasek Answers Questions Candidate for Councilmember; City of Mountain View

The questions were prepared by the Los Altos - Mountain View League of Women Voters and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. How would you address the long term fiscal needs of the city?

With the combination of prop 13 limits, ERAF diversions by the state, and declining sales tax revenue due to e-commerce, our city is facing difficult budget realities. I have been active in lobbying state and federal officials and explaining the declining revenues our city is currently seeing. The issue of fair, consistent and controllable revenue sources for local government is urgent. In the event of a budget shortfall, I would expect every department in the city to do its part to identify non-essential programs to be scaled back. I have no sacred cows. At a basic level however, I believe the services provided by police, fire and library are core city services to preserved to the greatest extent possible.

2. How should the city address its needs for affordable housing?

Affordable Housing is the most important challenge facing Mountain View. This is an issue that will not be solved by one city alone; however I'm proud of our city's accomplishments in the last 4 years. I have supported increased density of housing along transit corridors. I voted for a Below Market Rate ordinance with priority for public safety personnel. I have supported using our affordable housing dollars to save subsidized apartment complexes from reverting to market rate. I have used my Mayoral corporate visits to urge business support of the Housing Trust Fund. I have met with local apartment owners to urge their involvement in local initiatives to ease the housing crisis for at-risk residents. I am a vocal supporter of our latest initiative to build an efficiency studio apartment in the city. I will continue to work on this issue on a local and regional level to make sure that every part of the community - government, corporate, and non-profit - are focused on looking for every possible solution to maintain housing for an economically broad community.

3. What is the most important challenge facing Mountain View and how would you address it?

(see above answer on affordable housing)